The Traditional Labour Doula Program
Description:
The traditional program is ideal for women who do not have obstetrical experiences and for those who are looking for a change in career and interested in working with expectant parents and their families.
Labour Doulas in-training have two (2) years to complete and submit their certification requirements after purchasing the Certification Packet.
1. Register for a Labour Doula Certification Workshop (click here to view available workshops). 2. Complete the Pre-Workshop Study Guide (available here) and submit it to your trainer two (2) weeks before the workshop. Before entering the CAPPA Canada Labour Doula Program, applicants should have a basic knowledge of the following: anatomy of the female reproductive system and breasts; physiology of pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding; definitions of medical terms regarding labour. 3. Prepare a list of childbirth resources available in your area and bring it to the workshop.
What you need to do to apply:
Traditional Program Requirements
1. Be a member of CAPPA Canada ($55.00 for a 1 year membership; rebates available for multi-year memberships). All CAPPA Canada certified professionals are required to maintain continuous membership. A lapse in your CAPPA Canada membership will result in a $50.00 reinstatement fee and all overdue membership fees must be paid. CAPPA Canada certified professionals who let their membership lapse more than 120 days must pay a $100.00 reinstatement fee plus all past due membership fees. NOTE: If a membership is purchased during a workshop, there is a $5.00 discount.
2. Enter the Labour Doula Certification Program by purchasing the Labour Doula Certification Packet ($35.00), available at our store (a proof of purchase is required when submitting your certification requirements). You can also purchase your Certification Packet from your trainer at the workshop.
3. Choose and read five (5) books from the CAPPA CLD required reading list (available here).
4. Attend a local breastfeeding class (ie La Leche League) or breastfeeding consultation as an observer/volunteer with an IBCLC (a proof of attendance is required for either choices - minimum of 4 hours - when submitting your certification requirements). Submit a 250-300 words summary of what you learnt (use Form B: Speciality Class Observation Form, available in the CAPPA Canada Certification Packet). If no class is available in your area, please contact CAPPA Canada for a substitute.
5. Attend a local childbirth education series as an observer (complete series). The class must be taught by a certified childbirth educator and must be at least 12 hours in total length (proof required). Submit a detailed outline of topics, time allotments, and media used (use Form A: Class Observation Form available in the CAPPA Canada Certification Packet). If no class is available, contact CAPPA Canada about a video option.
6. Attend three (3) labours/births as a doula. These births must be attended after completing step 4 (attending a CAPPA Canada Labour Doula Certification Workshop). For each birth, you must be present before or at the onset of active labour until the immediate postpartum period right after the birth. If a Cesarean birth is attended, it may only be used as one of your three (3) births.
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Submit a summary of each birth, including a brief description of the labour, the role of the doula at this birth, the mother's reaction to the labour and birth, the reaction of the medical staff to the doula's presence and what you learned from this birth (use Form C: Labour/Birth Observation Form, available in the CAPPA Canada Certification Packet).
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Submit copies of good evaluations from the parents, doctor/midwife, and a second attendant (nurse/ midwife). In other words, for eachbirth you attend as a doula, you must submit three(3) evaluations.
7. Submit two letters of recommendation from a certified labour doula, certified childbirth educator, certified lactation educator, certified postpartum doula, certified antepartum doula, midwife, obstetrician, or lactation consultant (IBCLC). One letter for a character reference and the other as a professional reference.
8. Pass the test on labour doula skills and knowledge. The test is an open book test and the answer sheet must be submitted for your final certification. An 85% passing grade is required. The test is available in the CAPPA Canada Labour Doula Certification Packet.
9. Sign and agree to the CAPPA Code of Conduct, Philosophy, Scope of Practice and Grievance Policy.
10. Submit the necessary fees for certification ($75.00*).
* Certification Processing Fee is due with the submission of completed Certification Application.
In the event a candidate fails to pass certification requirements, the candidate has up to one (1) year to complete the failed portions of the certification requirements. There will be no further processing fees. The candidate who exceeds two (2) year to complete the aforementioned portions of certification may be asked to re-enter the certification program and may incur additional fees.
Note: CAPPA Canada encourages its birth professional in-training to submit their certification requirements electronically. If this is not a possibility, the paperwork must be submitted by mail and NO ORIGINALS should be sent, only photocopies.
| Certification Results Policy |
| It will take approximately 4-6 weeks for CAPPA Canada to grade and process your certification materials once received. CAPPA Canada receives a high volume of certification requests. CAPPA Canada will contact you by letter or email within that time frame once your application has been reviewed. |